FedNor invests to create jobs and accelerate the growth of Northern Ontario's mining supply and service sectors
February 18, 2022 - Temiskaming Shores, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Mining and related industries are a cornerstone of the national economy, employing more than 630,000 people across the country and contributing approximately $100 billion annually to Canada's GDP. In Ontario alone, the mining supply and service sectors generate an estimated $10 billion annually and support an additional 23,000 high-quality jobs throughout the region.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced a Government of Canada investment of $852,500 to enable the City of Temiskaming Shores to showcase Northern Ontario mining businesses and organizations on the world stage at two separate events in 2022.
Of the total, FedNor funding of $695,000 will enable the City of Temiskaming Shores to establish the eighth annual Northern Ontario Mining Showcase (NOMS) pavilion at the 2022 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto (June 13-15). The remaining $157,500 will allow the City to create an in-person NOMS exhibit at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM) annual convention that will take place in Vancouver (May 1-4).
The two showcase events will help increase export opportunities for participating businesses and organizations, and help them access new markets, explore partnership opportunities and increase sales. Since its inception in 2015, NOMS has helped participating businesses generate sales of more than $80 million, while creating 772 jobs across Northern Ontario. Taking place in person in Toronto from June 13-15, PDAC 2022 will build on the success of its 2021 online edition to reach a broader global audience and help connect potential buyers and investors with new business opportunities. In 2022 alone, NOMS at CIM is expected to assist 25 exhibitors, helping them form strategic alliances, increase exports and sales by more than $1.5 million and create 25 high-quality jobs in Northern Ontario and maintain 100 more.
Northern Ontario has been hard hit by COVID-19 and today's announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada's commitment to families, communities and businesses, helping them to not just survive, but also thrive. It will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that Northern Ontario's mining supply and service sectors are well positioned to fully participate in Canada's economic recovery.
